Experiments

Question 1

Define ‘Experiment’

Answer 1

A procedure used to find out whether one variable (independent) will affect another. A type of research method.

Question 2

Define ‘Lab Experiment’

Answer 2

A type of experiment that takes place in a labatory, under controlled conditions.

Question 3

Define ‘Field Experiment’

Answer 3

A type of experiment that takes place in a natural environment, where the conditions are not controlled.

Question 4

Define ‘Quasi Experiment’

Answer 4

A type of experiment in which the independent variable is naturally occurring and therefore not manipulated by the researchers.

Question 5

Independent variable (IV)

Answer 5

The factor in the experiment that is changed.

Question 6

Dependent variable (DV)

Answer 6

The factor in the experiment that is used to measure the change of the independent variable.

Question 7

Extraneous variable (EV)

Answer 7

A factor which is, or could be, changing the dependent variable, other than the independent variable, that can be controlled/changed.

Question 8

Confounding variable (CV)

Answer 8

A factor which is, or could be, changing the dependent variable, other than the independent variable, that can not be controlled.

Question 9

Name one strength of an experiment

Answer 9

It allows the gathering of data to support or help disprove a hypothesis.

Question 10

Name two strengths of a lab experiment

Answer 10

• Controlled conditions allow a cause and effect relationship to be established between two variables. (Extraneous variables can be controlled - high external validity)
• Controlled conditions allow them to be easily replicated - additional studies will improve reliability.

Question 11

Name two weaknesses of a lab experiment

Answer 11

• Artificial surroundings cause them to have low ecological validity. (participants could act differently to normal, as they are not in their ‘natural environment’.
• There are high demand characteristics, as they know they are involved in an experiment and being tested.

( - Observer bias reduces internal validity)

Question 12

Name two strengths of field experiments

Answer 12

• High ecological validity, as participants will be in their natural environment.
• No demand characteristics, as participants do not know they are involved in an experiment. (They will act more naturally)

( - No observer bias)

Question 13

Name two weaknesses of field experiments

Answer 13

• As conditions are not controlled, it is difficult to establish cause and effect with results.
• As participants are NOT are aware they are being experimented on, researchers do NOT have consent to involve them in a study and this breaches ethical guidelines.

Question 14

Name two strengths of quasi experiments

Answer 14

• Allows studies on participants/variables that would otherwise be unethical. (e.g seeing how the stress of a healthy individual compares with amputees. It would be unethical (highly!) to amputate someone to carry out the study)
• More ethical again, as participants are less manipulated.

Question 15

Name two weaknesses of quasi experiments

Answer 15

• As there is very little control over conditions and variables, it is hard to establish a cause and effect relationship.
• Confounding and extraneous variables more likely to affect the DV.
• Not time-efficient, as researchers will have to wait for the right participants come along, as they are not manipulating the IV.

-

Question 16

What is a repeated measures design?

Answer 16

A way of conducting an experiment that involves all participants taking part in each condition of the experiment.

Question 17

Name two strengths of a repeated measures design.

Answer 17

• Reduces the effect of individual differences on results, as both/all groups of participants will take part in every condition, which means that any change in the DV is due to a change in the IV.
• You need less participants, which saves time recruiting them and money to pay them.

Question 18

Name two weaknesses of a repeated measures design.

Answer 18

• Participants will complete the experiment twice, meaning practice effects will take place, reducing the reliability of results.
• Demand characteristics begin to take place, as participants think they will have a better chance of working out what the aim of the experiment is.

Question 19

What is an independent measures design?

Answer 19

A way of conducting an experiment in which each group of participants only take part in ONE condition of the experiment.

Question 20

Name two strengths of an independent measures design.

Answer 20

• No practice effects can take place, as any particular participant will only take part in the experiment ONCE.
• No/less demand characteristics, as they only do it ONCE.

Question 21

Name two weaknesses of an independent measures design.

Answer 21

• Individual differences between participants will affect results a lot, reducing reliability.
• More participants are needed to gather the same amount of results, which means more money and time has to be spent by researchers.

Question 22

Define ‘Operationalisation’

Answer 22

The way in which variables will be measured.

Question 23

What are the 6 features of ethical guidelines that each study should follow?

Answer 23

• Consent
• Debrief
• Protection from harm
• No deception
• Confidentiality
• Right to withdraw.